PHILADELPHIA — Mitchell Robinson didn’t participate in practice Saturday after re-injuring his surgically-repaired ankle, although Tom Thibodeau wasn’t ready to rule the center out of Sunday’s Game 4.
He was officially listed as questionable on the Knicks’ injury report.
“The reality is, he’ll warm up tomorrow and see where he is,” the coach said.
Robinson, who missed 50 games in the regular season after fracturing his left ankle, left Thursday’s loss in a walking boot after apparently being hurt while guarding Joel Embiid.
It’s unclear when exactly Robinson was hurt, but there were multiple dirty plays from Embiid — including his dragging down Robinson from the ground, kicking Robinson in the groin after a jumper and falling on Robinson’s leg after a borderline flop.
If Robinson can’t play, the Knicks can use a two-center rotation of Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa — although the latter is undersized compared to Embiid.
Thibodeau also floated Jericho Sims as a possibility.
Sims has played just two games since March 27.
“That was one of the great things about our team all year long. Every time one guy went out, another guy came in,” Thibodeau said. “So Precious played well for us. Jericho played well for us. The next guy get in there and get the job team. So it’s a team, we need everybody.”
With Robinson ruled out of the second half of Thursday’s loss, Achiuwa played well in 10 minutes but also picked up three quick fouls.
“Of course, you want everyone to be healthy, and [Robinson] fighting back, just having his injury come up again, it’s obviously sad,” Jalen Brunson said. “But I think the most important part of what happens is going forward, how can we stick together? It can’t be a pity party for anyone, no matter what’s going on, because no one’s going to care. How are you going to respond? How are we going to move on? How are we going to be better?”
Nick Nurse, who coached Achiuwa in Toronto, said he’s not sleeping on the potential replacement.
“I thought Precious came in after not playing at all in the series, and was really good,” the Sixers coach said. “He brought a fresh set of legs, he’s very athletic and he really rolled in there and pounded a couple of plays on the glass. … Precious played really well for them all through the regular season, I thought, when Robinson was out. So they’ve got a guy there ready to go.”
Donte DiVincenzo revealed what he told Joel Embiid after the Sixers center dragged Robinson to the court in Game 3.
“I didn’t get in his face,” DiVincenzo said. “I just asked, ‘What are we doing?’”
DiVincenzo was the first Knick to approach Embiid, who was overheard yelling to DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby, “What are you going to do? What are you going to do?”
DiVincenzo wasn’t interested in discussing his roller-coaster series.
“We’re up 2-1,” said the guard when asked to assess his performance.
He was the hero of Game 2 but shot just 37% over the three games.
